‘Dunatapari’ making competition to discourage plastic use

By Our Correspondent Lumbini, Dec.14: With the aim to discourage the use of plastic wares and promote the use of organic products, a Dunatapari (leaf plate) making competition has been organised in Bhairahawa, in Lumbini province. 

With the growing modernity and use of new technology, Dunatapari, which is made by hand, is gradually disappearing. In an effort to preserve the tradition, the organisers are trying to commercialise it through such competition.

There is still a practice of using Dunatapari made from sal leaves in the hill settlements for religious worships, marriage, fasting, Saraddha etc. But the new generation seem unable or unwilling to take part is making Dunatapari.  

Thakur Kumar Shrestha, the senior vice president of Siddhartha Udyog, said that the ‘Dunatapari, Bohota and Lamp Cutting Competition' was being organised in order to promote their conservation, use and the development of skills in the new generation as well as to discourage the use of plastic wares for religious purpose. 

"Dunatapari can be easily made from sal leaves and other locally available plants, but they are teetering on the verge of extinction with the growing modernity," Pallabi Neupane, a women entrepreneur and handicraft coordinator of the association, said, "We also use the leaf plates to give a message that we should use local handicrafts instead of plastic while reviving the old tradition.” She urged everyone to make use of Dunatapari made from the leaves of different plants and said doing so provide self-employment opportunities, do not affect the environment, are easily available and easy to use. 

“Plant materials are also cheaper than plastic ones. No need to open any business. If someone wants to start a business, they can make Dunatapari at home and in small places and sell it. We believe that the competition will inspire many people in this direction.”

Nowadays, the use of machine-woven Dunatapari and plastic utensils has increased even in festivals such as Dasain, Tihar, weddings and various pujas. She said that people should be made aware about benefits of using Dunatapari.